Feeler mechanism for looms



F. LACEY.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOUMS.

APPLICATION FILED 001.23.1915.

1,308,246. Patented July 1, 1919.

ma UO'LUMBKA PLANOGRAPH cm, WASIHNGTUN. u. c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED LACEY, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0DRAPER CORPORATION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEEL-ER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

l ,ilOUJHG.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1, 1919.

1 b all whom it may concern lie it known that I, FRED Lnomr, a citizenof the United States, and resident of Lowell, county of Middlesex, andState of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in FeelerMechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is :1. specification, like characters onthe drawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to feeler mechanismsfor looms, and more particularly to that type wherein, upon substantialor practical exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle, the feeler memberis adapted to be moved in a direction longitudinally of the fillingcarrier to initiate filling replenishment, or otherwise affect the loomoperation.

In this general type of feeler mechanism, the feelcr member is usuallyprovided with an end portion adapted to enter the shuttle on thedetecting beat-up stroke of the lay, and be prevented from movement in adirection longitiulinally of the shuttle by engagement with the fillingprovided a working supply is present; but when the filling has becomenearly exhausted and is capable of resisting the tendency of the feelerto move in said direction, the feeler is permitted to movelongitudinally of the shuttle or filling carrier to thereby cause atrain of mechanism to become effective to replenish the supply offilling.

l'Vhere the feeler is normally under the influence of actuating meanstending to move it longitudinally of the shuttle or filling carrier, itmust be returned to its proper feeling position after it has respondedto such means or after such detecting operation. An important feature ofthe present. invention. therefore, consists in means adapted to beengaged at times by a part carried by the feeler as the lay goes backafter a detecting beat, for restoring or moving the feeler la. orally tofeeling position. This feature of the invention is embodied in astationary can) or incline formed as part of or mounted on the feelerstand, which acts upon a member carried by the feeler as the layretreats and insures proper feeling position of the feeler.

Upon the non-detecting beataip movement of the lay when the shuttle isnot in the box adjacent the feels! member, said member no longer willnot engage the filling in the shuttle and in such case the feeler shouldbe retained in feeling position. A feature of the in\'eu tion,therefore, consists of means engaged by a part carried by the feeler tohold the fecler in feeling position when the lay makes its non-detectingbeat. Another feature of the. invention consists in cam means acting inconjunction with the stationary cam to insure restoration of the feelerto feeling position.

These and other features of the present invention will be hereinafterdescribed and then definitely set forth by the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a feeler mechanism embodying one form of thepresent invention, some of the loom parts being omitted and others shownin section;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the feeler member as having been moved ina direction longitudinally of the filling carrier, when the filling hasbecome nearly exhausted;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-l. Fig. 1, showing the ai'rtuatinghammer in its back and front position by dotted and full lines,respectively; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the general relation of theactuating hammer and the parts adapted to cooperate there with.

The present invention is especially adapted for application to anautomatic loom. wherein filling replenishing mechanism. is renderedeffective to provide a fresh supply of filling when that in the shuttlein play has become nearly or substantially exhausted, but it may also beemployed in connection with some other train of mechanism.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the loom frame may be of anyusual or desired eharacten and secured to the breast beam 1, for rockingmovement relative thereto is the usual transverse shaft 3. Thistransverse shaft may be connected. as usual in this type of loom, tosuitable means for initiating filling replenishment when said shaft isrocked, all as will be readily understood by those skillcd in the art.

Secured to the transverse shaft 3 and eX- tending upward therefrom isthe arm 4 having pivotally connected thereto at 5 the arm 6, which armmay. for identification. be hereinafter termed the actuator, because itsmovement by the means to be de it turns or aetuates the transverse shaft3 in opposition to its usual springholding means to initiate thereplenishing operation.

livotally mounted at 7 upon the actuator (1 is a swing arm 8. the troutend portion l ol which is normally under the influence ol' a spring forturning said arm upon its pivot contra-eloelrwise. viewing Fig. 1. 1nthe present instance of the invention, the aetuat'or 6 is provided witha socket portion 10 in which is a spring 11. one end of which is seatedupon the part 9 of the arm 8, and it desired a headed screw 12 may beprovided for holding the spring, in position. the construction beingsuch that when the arm 8 is free to be moved about its pivotal mounting,it will respond to the spring 11 and turn contra-cloek\vise, Fig. 1.

The end portion of the arm 8 on the opposite side of its pivotalmounting T is pro vided with a shoulder 13 adapted, under eer lainconditions to be hereinafter described to he engaged by a lug- 14extending from an arm 15 einmeeted to the usual wet't hammer 15. Inorder that the lug 11 may be prop erly adjusted into desired relationwith the shoulder 13. the arm 15 may be conveniently secured to the wefthammer 16 adjustably, as by the slot and bolt connection 17.

From the construction described, it will be obvious to those skilled inthe art, that if the shoulder 13 of the swing arm is moved by the spring11 into the path of movement of the big 14 as the latter movesfrontward, the actuator it will be moved to the front, turn thetransverse shaft and initiate filling replenishment.

Extending from the swing arm 8 is a part 13 having a web 19 to which isconnected one end 01 :1 rod 20, the other end ol said rod be in;connected to a. projection 21 extending from a feeler member 22. Thefeeler member 22 is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinallyof the shuttle or filling carrier, and in the present instance of theinvention is pivotally mounted at 23 on a fixed axis secured to a plate24 which is itself mounted upon a suitable bracket 25 secured to theloom frame. It may at times be desirable to adjust the plate 24 andparts carried thereby. and to conveniently effect this purpose, theplate 24 is provided with a slot 26 through which extends a bolt 27.From the construction described it will be evident that the feelermember 22 is under control of the swing arm 8 and its actuating spring11 the action of said spring tending to normally move the feeler memberin a direction longitudinally of the shuttle or filling carrier, or tothe left, viewing Fig. 1.

The feeler member 22 may be variously formed and provided with a part toengage the filling on the filling carrier to prevent through seribed,

movement ol' the l'eeler member lougitudi nally relatively to theshuttle or filling ear rier when a working or sullieient supply oifilling, is present and permit such movement responsive to the swing armand its spring when the filling is nearly exhausted, but in the presentinstance the l'eeler member has upwardly projection; portions 28 and 29through which passes a l'eeler lin e er iitl hav ing a serrated orroughened end til for en rae'ing the lilliup', the eonslruetion. beingsuch that the serrations or roughened end .11 by engagement with aworking supply ol' lillin will prevent movement oi the 'l'eeler mem 'Jerlongitudinally of the shuttle or fill- 111g UllIlIlGl'. but when thesupply has lJUCOlIlt! nearly or substantially exhausted and only enoughremains to reach one or more times across the lay such end will permitsueb movement of the teeler member in response to the swing arm 9 andits spring".

The 't'eeler finger is under the intluenee ol' a light spring tonormally project it ey nd the end of the teeler member and cause it inpass through the usual (,ipeniugs 32 and 3;; in the shuttle-box andshuttle, respectively. and conta t with the filling ill in the shuttle.In the present instance the teeler finger 30 is surrounded by the spring35 one end of which bears upon the projection 29 and the other end uponthe shoulders 36 of the finger, the construction being such that on eachdetecting beat of the lay. the teeler finger will be moved relatively tothe teeler member to ward the front of the loom, Whether a work-- ingsupply of filling; be present or not, and when the lay moves back the'leeler finger will be returned to initial position by its spring.

The present invention contemplates that after each call forreplenishment due to movement of the teeler longitudinally of theshuttle or filling carrier upon substantial exhaustion of the filling,the feeler be moved. in the opposite direction back into fee-lingposition. To this end the relative moven'lent of the feeler men'iber andfeeler finger as the lay goes back after a. detecting beat is utilized,.and means are provided to be effective upon such relative movement ofthe feelcr member and l'eeler finger, to return the ieeler to feelingposition. Applicant believes himself to be the first in the art toreturn or move a teelcr of this character longitudinally of the shuttleor filling carrier to feeling position by movement of the feeler finger,and desires it understood that while the drawings herewith, to befurther described, show a good, practical form of the invention, theinvention itself is not restricted thereto, but may be vari ouslvmodified Within its true scope as defined by the claims.

In the illustrated form of the invention. the teeler finger 30 isprovided with a roller 37 which may be conveniently mounted upon a pin38, the coi'istruction being such that the roller 37 moves with thefeeler finger. Mounted in proper position for cooperation with saidroller as it is moved by the linger is a part to return the feeler tofeeling position as the feeler finger moves rearmirdly. This part may bevariously formed, but in the present instance of the invention itcomprises a cam 39 suitably supported upon the plate 2' by suitablemeans such as the arm 4 and screws- 41, the construction being such thatupon a detecting beat of the lay. if a Working supply of filling ispresent in the shuttle, the fcelcr finger will be engaged by the fillingand moved toward the front of the loom relatively to the feeler memberand the feeler as a Whole Will be prevented from movement longitudinallyof the shuttlc or filling carrier by the working supply of filling.Under these conditions replenishment of filling will not be initiated,as will be understood. As the lay moves back, the feeler finger willalso be moved back by its spring 35, until it is stopped by suitablemeans, such for instance, as the roller 37 engaging the projection 29 ofthe fceler member, and the said roller will engage the cam 39 at itsflattened end portion 42 which may be preferably formed to resistmovement of the feclcr to the left, Fig. 1, when the serrated orroughened end of the feeler finger has been disengaged from the filling.

From the construction described, it will be apparent that should thefilling have become practically exhausted upon the detecting beat of thelay, the feelcr finger 30 Will again be moved frontward by engaging thefilling carrier substantially as indicated in Fig. 3, and at the sametime the feeler Will be permitted to move longitudinally of the shuttleor filling carrier in response to the swing arm 8 and its spring. In thefollowing backward movement of the lay, the fceler finger 30 will againbe moved rearward by its spring 35 relatively to the feeler member 22,and since at this time the feeler is in the position indicated in Fig.3, the roller 37 on the fceler finger Will engage the cam 39 and ridingalong such cam in response to the feeler finger spring 35, will serve tomove the feelcr longitudinally of the shuttle or filling carrier, untilthe roller 37 has reached the flattened end portion or rest 42 of thecam 39, or in other Words, return the teeler to feeling position.

l ccler mechanisms are necessarily delicate in construction andoperation, and it may happen at times that the backward movement of thefeeler finger under the impulse of its actuating spring 35 might not besuflieient to return the feeler completely to its feeling position. Insuch cases to insure the complete return of the feeler to its feelingposition after a replenishing operation, the

swing arm 8 is provided with a member to engage the [)IUjutft'ifll] llof the actuator hammer 15 as the weft hammer and, per force, theactuator hammer move back.

In the present instance of the invention in this respect, the swing arm8 is provided with a cam member 43, Figs. 1 and h, having a cam surface-l--l-, adapted to be engaged by the rear bevel edge portion of theprojection Isl, as indicated in Fig. h u th actuator hanuner l5 movesrearwardly. the construction being such that after the i'eeler 22 hasbeen moved longitudinally of the shuttle or filling carrier to effectthe initiation of filling replenishment, aml the lay has movedbaelnvardly to relieve contact of the feelcr finger and the fillingcarrier, and the cam 39 has acted to return the feeler to feelingposition. the projection 1 1- on the. backward moven'ient of theactuator hann mer, will engage the cam surface 44 of the cam member 43and insure that the 'leeler has been properly moved to feeling position:and if it has not been completely moved to such position, act tocomplete such movement in the present invention by freeing the roll iiifrom the cam surface 39, thus permitting the spring free action to movethe feclcr finger 30 rearwardly so that the roll 37 may finally restupon the flattened portion -12 of the cam. The feeler finger 30 could bemade to return to its proper rearward position by using a stiff enoughspring 35, but the described construction or modifications thereof ispreferable, because the use of a light spring to act upon the feelerfinger is made possible and yet the finger is caused to assume itsproper rearward position.

The cam member 4.3 having the cam surface 44- to act in the mannerdescribed may be variously contrived and comuw-tcd to the swing arm 8,but in the present form of the invention, comprises aplate as indicatedin Fig. 5 connected adjustably to the swing arm 8 by suitable means suchas the screw or slot connection 45. In order to maintain the cam member43 in proper position on the swing arm 8, it may have projectingthercfrom a flange 46 for engaging the side portion of the arm 8,substantially as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5.

When, on a detecting beat of the lay, the filling has reached acondition of suhstanti.-d exhaustion, the serrations or teeth ill on thefeeler finger 30 will engage the filling carrier, or the little fillingstill remainingtherw on, and Will be permitted under such conditions, tomove longitudinally of the shuttle or filling carrier under the actionof the swing arm and its spring 11. thereby permitting the swing arm tocarry the shoulder 13 thereof into the path of the projection 14 of theactuator hammer, so that as the actuator hammer moves toward the front,it will carry With it the swing arm 8 and, perfill force, the actuator(i which, through the arm 4, will turn the transverse shaft :5 andiniliate filling replenishment.

From [he construction described, it will be seen that the inventioncomprises a single 'leeler member having a part, such as a leelerlinger, which is moved iroi'itwardly on the deterting beat of the layand which, on resuming its initial position as the lay goes bark, artsto return the l'eeler meml'ier to 'lceling position or move itlongitudinally oi the vshuttle it it has been moved from such positionon the detecting beat. This characteristic operation Oil: the feeler isnot dependent on the presence of a so-ealled bunch on the fillingcarrier, and in this respect the leeler mechanism may be advantageouslyemployed whether the filling carrier in the shuttle is provided with abunch, or not.

it is sometimes necessary to turn the loom b hand without the shuttle inorder to find the Illt'lx'. In such cases, of rourse, it is desirablethat the lilling replenishing mechauism shall not be operated. Thepresent invention eli eets this inoperative condition of thereplenishing mechanism under such rircumstances by permitting the roller37 to remain in contactwith the cam 39, because there being no shuttleemployed, the feeler finger 30 will not be moved frontward on thedetecting beat-up movement of the lay.

In order that the relative positions of the swing arm 8 and the feelermember may be properly adjusted to operate as hereinbefore described, itis desirable that the connection 20 between these parts be made adjustable, and this is effected in the present instance of the invention,by the turnbuckle 47, although it will be understood that otluradjusting means might be employed. ll is likewise desirable that theswinging relation of the swing arm 8 and the pivotally mounted feelermember 22 may be properly adjusted, and to this end the Web 19 of theswing arm 8 and the part 521 of the feeler member 22 are each providedwith a plural ity of openings 48 adapted to receive the end ortion 49 ofthe connecting rod 20. By adusting the ends of the connecting rod 20into the different openings 48, it Will be evident, of course, that therelative swinging movement of the swing arm and feeler may be variouslychanged to cause the swinging movements of the swing arm and feeler toproperly relate the parts to their cooperat ing elements.

\Vhat is claimed is 1. A feeler mechanism for looms, eomprising a feelermember, a teeler finger mounted on said feeler member for movement withand relative thereto, means for moving the feeler member longitudinallyof the shuttle to initiate filling replenishment when the filling hasbecome substantially exhausted, and means rendered effective by movementof the 'leeler linger relative to the l'eeler member for returning thel'eelcr member hit orally to feeling position.

2. A feeler mechanism for looms, wunpriw ing a i'eeler member pivotallymounted to swing about a fixed axis in a direction lougitudinally oi thefilling arrier upon tl lti tion oi substantial exhaustion of the lillingin the shuttle, a t'eeler finger mounted on and movable relatively tothe leeler member, and means including a part carried by the feelerfinger for returning the 'l'erler number to vfeeling position bymovement oi the l'eeler finger relative to the t'eeler member.

3. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising a teeler member mountedformovement loi'igitudinally of the shuttle upon the orcurrenee ofsubstantial exhaustion of filling, a feeler finger mounted on andmovable relative to the feelcr member, a cam, and a part carried by thefinger adapted to engage lhe cam as the finger moves rearwarellyrelative to the teeler mmnb r alter a deter-ling beat to move thel'eeler member laterally.

4'. In a teeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a teeler member,a teeler tinger mounted thereon to feel for the filling in the shuttleand be moved front ward thereby means for returning the feeler finger toits rearward posit-ion as the lay goes back, means including a partrendered effective by rearward movement of such finger to return thefeeler member toward feeling position, and means normally tending tomove the fceler member and finger in a direction lon gitudinally oi theshuttle.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms. the combination of a 'teeler memberpivotally mounted to turn about a fixed axis, means for moving the'lcelcr member about said axis in a direction longitudimilly ot theshuttle, a feeler finger movable with the ieeler member, a springnormally acting to project said feeler finger rearwardly relative to thefeeler member, and means rendered efi'ective by rearward movement of thefeeler finger for insuring the return of the -feeler member to feelingposition after it has been turned on its fixed axis.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a teeler mountedfor m-ove ment toward and from the front of the loom, means for engagingthe feeler as it moves rearwardly to restore it to feeling positionafter it has been laterally displaced, an actuator and actuating hammer,a cam member between the actuator and actuator hammer to draw the feelerlaterally when the lay has gone back and insure the return of the feelerto proper feeling position.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler member,means acting upon the feeler member in a direction tending to move itlongitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler finger yieldingly mountedthereon, means, including a )art carried by the feeler finger, remlerede ective by rear \vard movement of such finger relatively to the feelermember to return the leeler member toward feeling position, a cammen'lber, eonneetious between the cam member and ieeler member, andmeans for aeting upon the cam member to insure complete return oi. thel'eeler member to Feeling position.

In a teeler mechanism for 1001115, the eombination of a feeler membermounted for movement longitlulinally of the shuttle when the filling issubstantially exhausted, an actuator, a swing arm connected to theactuator, a connector pivotally united to the feeler member and swingarm, and n'ieans for varying the distance of the pivotal points of theconnector from. the ends of the teeler member and swing arm to changethe relative movements transmitted from one to the other.

In a ieeler meehanism, the eombination of a feeler member pivotallymounted to swing in a direetion longitudinally of the shuttle uponsubstantial exhaustion of? filling, an actuator, a swing arm pivotallyeounected thereto, a rod eonneeting the feeler member and swing arm, andmeans for shitting the points of connection to different distances fromthe pivotal points of the swing arm and i'eeler member to change thedegree of relative movements transmitted by the said rod between theswing arm and 'teeler member.

10. In a feeler meehanism for looms. the eombination of a teeler membermounted for movement longitlulimdly of the shuttle upon substantialexhaustion oi filling, a feeler finger mounted yieldingly upon thefeeler member, a stationary rest, and a part carried by the teelerfinger to engage the rest and hold the feeler member from movementlongitudinally of the shuttle when the feeler finger is in rear orfeeling position.

11. In a i'eeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler having afilling engaging part to feel for the filling in the shuttle as the layheats up and be moved frontward thereby, means for returning the saidpart to rearward position as the lay moves back, means for moving thefeeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle upon detection ofsubstantial exhaustion of filling, and means rendered etleetive bymovement oi said part to rearwz'n'd position for returning the teeler tofeeling position.

12. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler member,means tending to move the teeler member longitudinally of the shuttle011 a. detecting beat, a cam, and a part mounted on the feeler memherfor eoaeting with said cam and adapted to be moved relatively thereto onthe detecting beat of the lay to free the feeler member from the controlof the cam and to engage said cam on the following backward move ment olthe lay to place the l'eeler in feeling position.

1;}. In a leeler motion for looms, the combination of a i'eeler having afilling engaging member mounted on the feeler for movementlongitudinally thereof by the trontward push of the filling or carrieras the lay moves l'rontward on a detecting beat, means normally aetingto move the t'eoler in a dimetion longitudinally of the shuttle, a fixedprojeetion adapted to be engaged by a part of the filling engagingmember oi the 'leeler to prevent movement of the :lieeler in re sponseto said normally aeting means when said feeler engaging member is: inrearward position on said feeler and to permit movement of the feeler inresponse to said means when the said part of the filling engaging memberis moved trontward and out of eogagement with said fixed projection.

ii. In a i'eeler motion 'l'or loo1os,tl1e (one bination oi a feeler,means normally acting to move it in a direetion longitmlinally oi theshuttle, a filling engaging member mounted for longitudinal movement onsaid feeler, a spring normally forcing said men1- her into rear positionrelative to the teeler but permitting it to yield frontward on adetecting beat of the lay, a lug or projeetion secured in fixedposition, a part eonnerted with the filling engaging member of the:feeler and engaging said fixed lug or pro-- jeetion when the saidmember is in rear po sition to hold the feeler from movement in sponsiveto said normally aetiug means and movable from engagement with saidlived lug or projeetion when said filling engaging member oi the teeleris moved trontward on a deteeting beat.

15. A feeler mechanism for looms, eoniprising a teeler to feel for thefilling in the shuttle, a fixed ram, and a part carried by the feeleradapted to engage the fixed cam as the lay goes back after a detectingbeat, and restore the feeler laterally to feeling 1osition, and meansacting through the fee er after it has reached rearward position toinsure the return of the feeler laterally to feeling position.

16. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand,a feeler mounted thereon for movement longitudinally of the shuttle whenthe filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat. a. cam orinclined member carried by the feelerstand, a part mounted on the teelerto engage said member as the lay goes back after an indication ofsubstantial exhaustion of filling to restore the feeler laterally tofeeling position, and means for drawing the feeler laterally to relievethe frictional engagement of the part mounted on the teeler and the camor inclined member to insure the return of the feeler to feelingposition.

17. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a teeler stand,a feeler mounted thereon for moven'lent longitudihall of the shuttlewhen the filling is substantiall exhausted on a detecting beat, a fixedmember ha ing an inelined portion for restoring the feeler to feelingposition, a part rarried by the leeler adapted at times lo engage thefixed inclined member as the lay goe haek alter a. deteeting beat. andmeans for moving the feeler laterally to relieve the pressure againstthe inclined memher to insure complete return oi. the feeler to feelingposition.

18. In a feeler mechanism for looms the eomhiualion of a feeler stand. afeeler memher having a filling engaging end and mounted direelly on thestand for movement lougii udinally oi' the shuttle when the filling ieaulmlautially exhausted. a fixed Cam harin an ineline and a net. and apart carried by the feeler member adapted at times to engage the fixedteam as the lay goes hank aften a detecting heat to restore the feelerlaterally to feeling position and to reengage said rest when the ieeleris in feeling po Rition.

19. In a ieeler motion for looms, the (one hiual'ion oi a ieeler stand.a. i eeler mounted thereon for movement longitudilmlly oi the shuttlewhen the filling is suhetautiall); ex llflllhl'ld. a fixed cam and arest. a part earried h) the feeler to ride along the cam and engage therest as the lay goes back, said rest preventing nnwement of the feelerlongitudinally of the shuttle until theparl. can ried hy the feeler hasheen moved frontu'ard past the rest.

in leelilnony whereof I have signed my name to this epeeifieation.

Flll ll) IAUEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 11.0.

